Stories from the Street: Love, Loss, and the Power of Outreach
A Story of How NWCC Outreach Helped Reunite a Daughter in Crisis with Her Family
For the past few months, NWCC Humanitarian Team member Terrance has been checking in on a woman living near the Food Innovation Center. Despite frequent contact—and offers of food, water, and shelter—she consistently declined help. Her mental state was fragile, made worse by the recent loss of her beloved dog, her constant companion.
Stories from the Street: A Ride Toward Safety
With support from NWCC’s Terrance and Radio Cab, Jesse and Caitlin find shelter together.
On a warm Portland day, NWCC’s outreach made a powerful difference for Jesse and Caitlin.
Terrance, of NWCC’s Humanitarian Team, met the couple during a street outreach visit, offering water, clean clothing, and—most importantly—a pathway to shelter.
Stories from the Street: NWCC Connects Pearl Neighbors to Shelter and Support
In the heart of a rainy Portland day, NWCC outreach helps connect Pearl District neighbors to shelter and support.
During a recent NWCC outreach visit, Humanitarian Team member Terrance connected with Tom, a 60-year-old neighbor living in a carefully constructed tent near the freeway. His shelter—secured with a blue tarp and a wheelchair chained outside—was a symbol of both hardship and resilience.
Empowering Safer Streets: Inside the Community Safety Training with PPB
Crisis response, de-escalation, and community readiness come together in new quarterly trainings.
NWCC’s Executive Director, Chase McPherson, and Terrance Dodson of the Humanitarian Team attended a Community Safety Training session hosted by the Portland Police Bureau’s Behavioral Health Unit. This valuable session covered essential topics, including crisis intervention strategies, situational awareness, de-escalation principles, and how to effectively interact with emergency services.
A Walk Through the Pearl with Councilor Mitch Green
Discussing Creative Solutions for Retail Vacancy and Stronger City Support.
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with Councilor Mitch Green, one of the newly elected representatives for Portland’s District 4, as part of NWCC’s ongoing outreach to city leaders. We discussed neighborhood issues and then took a walk on a sunny day to highlight the unique problems in the Pearl.
NWCC Advocacy: Bottle Bill Reform Update
NWCC Advocacy: Progress is Being Made with Senate Bill 992
As an advocate for reforming Oregon’s Bottle Bill to stop cash payments from being used to fuel drug selling and use in Oregon (remember, this was supposed to be an environmental law!), there is progress being made. Thanks to State Senator Janeen Sollman and the Oregon Grocers’ Association (with whom I have been working), SB 992 has passed the House and Senate by impressive margins and now sits in the Governor’s office for signature.
Joining Forces for Public Safety
Joining Forces for Public Safety: A Community Roundtable Hosted by NWCC
"When we come together—officers, advocates, and neighbors—we create space for real solutions." — NWCC
Partnering for Progress in the Pearl District
NWCC’s executive director and Councilor Zimmerman reconnect to advance advocacy in the Pearl.
Last week, I had the chance to walk the Pearl District with District 4 Councilor Eric Zimmerman—and it felt like both a reunion and a fresh start.
On the Ground in the Pearl District
Councilor Clark and NWCC Walk the Neighborhood to Tackle Safety, Livability, and Real Change
Earlier this year, the Northwest Community Conservancy’s (NWCC) Executive Director, Chase McPherson and Board Chair Ken Thrasher had the opportunity to walk the Pearl District with Portland’s District 4 City Councilor Olivia Clark.
Stories from the Street: Reconnecting Home: A Family Reunion on the Streets of Portland
NWCC’s work reunites a family.
With compassion and persistence, NWCC’s humanitarian team helped a mother reunite with her daughter after years apart—showing that sometimes the first step isn’t shelter, but connection.
Keeping the Pearl Clean: Exploring Smarter Street Maintenance Solutions
Talking street cleaning, graffiti, and smarter city maintenance.
I recently took Shaylee Robanske, Operations Division Manager at PBOT, on a tour of the Pearl District. Her division focuses on street cleaning, removing graffiti from street signs, and improving crosswalks.
City of Portland Budget Listening Sessions
Make your voice heard!
Join a City of Portland budget listening session and share your thoughts on potential cuts to help balance the city’s budget.
Two-Year Check-In: Progress and Impact
The Northwest Community Conservancy (NWCC) was formed as a 501(c)(3) in January 2023 to improve safety, livability, and business opportunities in Portland’s Pearl District.
Covering 120 blocks in NW Portland. This would be accomplished by being responsive to community needs through providing humanitarian services, security patrols, business support, a hotline to timely address security and humanitarian issues, advocacy for key district priorities, accountability reporting, and working with organizations like PDNA, the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County, the city of Portland, and many others.
Addressing Challenges with the Warming Shelter: A Community Conversation
NWCC Advocacy: Bringing Community Voices Together to Address Warming Shelter Impacts
Recently, I had the opportunity to bring together Multnomah County's Director of Emergency Services and his team to meet with NWCC's humanitarian team and several Pearl District retailers. Representatives from F-45, YoYo Yoga, Star Pizza, River Pig, and Papa Chulo joined the conversation to discuss the impact of the county's warming shelter on the surrounding area.
How to Report Stolen Property and Help Keep Our Community Safe
Recently, our Humanitarian Team received a call from an NWCC member walking to work in the Pearl District. The member was concerned about two individuals loitering near a property and potentially causing issues.
NWCC Welcomes Our Humanitarian Team to Expand Community Impact
Strengthening NWCC’s Street Pearl District Outreach to Provide Direct Support and Meaningful Change
Late in 2024, we were thrilled to announce that our incredible Humanitarian Team officially became part of NWCC! This new arrangement energized the team, allowing them to work more effectively on the streets, directly helping those in need.
Read the Humanitarian Team’s inspiring stories in Stories on the Streetson NWCC News.
Stories from the Street: How NWCC’s Team Connected a Struggling Couple with Resources
NWCC Stories from the Street: Providing Support, Shelter, and Safe Transport for Those in Need
When NWCC Humanitarian Teammate Terrance met Justin and Ally, a young couple struggling to find shelter, he offered them the support they desperately needed. Open to assistance, they worked with NWCC team member Tiffany, who quickly made calls and secured a spot for them at Laurelwood Shelter—a rare resource that accommodates couples.
Stand Up for Portland: Protect Our Police, Fire, and 911 Services!
Our city’s safety is on the line—take action to preserve essential emergency services
Portland is facing significant budget cuts that could severely impact emergency services, including police, fire, and 911 response. KATU recently reported that the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) stands to lose 35 to 45 officers, eliminating specialized units that combat gun violence and human trafficking. Portland Fire & Rescue could lose 66 on-duty positions, further straining emergency response. The 911 center may also cut training, overtime, and staff, worsening already slow response times—currently below national standards.
Your Voice, Your City: Portland City Council Budget
As we enter 2025, we have some big decisions to make in a period of uncertainty.
Both the County and City have large budget deficits, so prioritizing spending is critical.
Quick Action and Medical Response Save Life at Jamison Park
Stories from the Streets
At Jamison Park in the Pearl District, Portland, NWCC Community Coordinator Terrance helped revive a distressed individual with Narcan and chest compressions until Portland Fire & Rescue arrived.